title: Sodium valproate and cognitive functioning in normal volunteers.
abstract: 1 The effects of sodium valproate on the performance of a series of psychological tests and mood was studied. 2 Ten healthy male volunteers received sodium valproate and placebo, each for a period of 2 weeks, in a double-blind cross-over design. Dosage of sodium valproate was increased to 800 mg/day in the first week and to 1 g/day in the second week of treatment. 3 Psychological testing took place on three occasions, before and on completion of each of the two treatment periods. 4 The few significant differences between drug and placebo conditions indicated impairment on sodium valproate. 5 The findings are discussed in relation to those from a similarly designed study of the anticonvulsant phenytoin. Implications for epilepsy are also considered.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000187:drug effects; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D010465:Perception / Q000187:drug effects; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid